Guest Speaker Series
On May 19th our guest speaker was our own member Donald Hart telling us about his newly formed 501(c)3 entity Hart and Soul. Donald is the founder and chief executive officer of this youth program for boys ages 10-18 which was organized on May 21, 2020. He believes in his community, cares about others and has a passion for the welfare of children. It is this passion that has led him to create Hart & Soul Foundation. His knowledge and passion is attributed to the 30 plus years of professional service in law enforcement, 3 years as an adjunct instructor at IRSC, and mentoring a boys program for 6 years and seated on multi non-profit boards. This afforded him a wide array of skills and abilities.
The Hart & Soul Youth Program mission is ”to provide teen coaching to young males in our community, and to motivate and inspire them to make responsible choices, smart decisions and discover their purpose.” The goal is to provide mentorship and positive support to these young men and help them escape the pitfall that will derail their lives and, in many cases, destroy their futures. The program will foster relationships by assisting them to develop self-worth, dreams and ambitions and offer career assessment, educational and core services, mentoring, peer and job placement. The maximum class size is 20. There is an application process, and parents must be involved. The first annual fund raising event will be held May 20th -June 30th at the Marketplace in Vic’s Plaza. Boxes of fudge or turtle candy will be sold for $25 with $10 from each box sold benefiting the Hart & Soul Foundation.
For more information call 772-538-1052 or visit hartandsoulfoundation.com.
2nd Qtr. Visitors – Please Come Again!
- 04/14/21 – Todd Finnegan, Sebastian Police Department (Officer Donald Hart)
- 04/14/21 – Sean Facey, Edwd. Jones (Lyse McDonough)
- 04/21/21 – Rappy Perez (Diana Best)
- 04/21/21 – Mari Miles (Ali Qizilbash – Diamond Sponsor!)
- 04/28/21 – Dane Morris (Michelle Morris)
- 04/28/21 – Sean Facey (Lyse McDonough – membership application received!)
- 05/12/21 – Lt. Joe Abollo, Indian River County Sheriff’s Department (Eric Flowers)
- 05/19/21 – Kevin Craig, Hart & Soul (Donald Hart)
- 05/19/21 – Roberta Barker, Hart & Soul (Donald Hart)
- 05/19/21 – Lane Solomon, American Security Council Foundation (Eva Chapman)
- 05/26/21 – Lane Solomon (Eva Chapman)
- 05/26/21 – Tony Consolo, Indian River Sheriff’s Deputy (Lt. Joe Abollo)
On May 19th we celebrated those members who had birthdays in May:
- 05/05 Michelle Miller (Pelican Landing)
- 05/06 Janie Franklin
- 05/18 Dan Acosta (Sebastian Police Dept.)
- 05/21 John Dobay
- 05/22 Kim Sviben (Pelican Landing)
- 05/31 Kim Stadler (Capt Hiram’s)
May Anniversaries
- Johnathan Rhodeback 3 Years
- Diana Best (iThink Financial) 5 Years
- Patricia Montgomery (SRMC) 7 Years
- Rick Giteles 34 Years
Welcome New Members
On May 12th we installed our newest member, Sean Facey. On April 14th we installed John Dobay. We are now 46-member strong! Please be sure to introduce yourself and welcome Sean and John to our club.
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
- 2020-21 Officers:
- President = Sarah Cosner
- Secretary = Maddie Tatro
- Treasurer = Angela Zamarripa
At our last meeting members reported that they conducted a blue-ribbon distribution drive and designated a day to wear blue during the month of April for National Prevention of Child Abuse Month. The club also displayed the Child Abuse Prevention flag at the school courtyard during the Month of April. (Pillar – Child Abuse Prevention).
A member recruitment effort will be held at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
A Junior Excel club table will be on display during orientation for the 2021-2022 school year. A meeting schedule will be established when the new school year begins.
As this school year closes we wish you all the best in your future endeavors! We all look forward to the 2021-2022 year’s club’s growth and achievements.
Member Connection
Please continue to keep Jeff and Bonnie Slade who are experiencing serious health issues in your thoughts and prayers. Jeff is receiving immunotherapy treatment at Moffitt several times a week and maintains a very positive attitude. He reports that first results show good progress. Phone calls are welcome. Please reach out to Jeff and let him know we are all here for him.
Community Involvement
On May 14th our club re-dedicated the Freedom Shrine at Liberty Magnet Elementary. President Ali Qizilbash made the presentation to students and faculty who attended, and each was given an American flag. Students led the pledge of allegiance and sang the Liberty Magnet school song “Heart of America.” Thank you to club members Kathy Burns, Eva Chapman, Lyse McDonough, Karen McElveen and Fred Jones also took time to attend this important presentation.
Construction begins on regional child advocacy center in Port St. Lucie
Construction has begun on a 9,000-square-foot child advocacy center in Port St. Lucie that will function as a centralized location for agencies that serve abused and neglected children in Florida’s 19th Circuit Court District, which includes Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
The 19th District is one of only three districts that do not already have a child advocacy center, said Debbie Butler, President of Guardians for New Futures, a nonprofit organization that supports the unfunded needs of abused and neglected children on the Treasure Coast. Currently, clients in the child welfare system travel from agency to agency, sometimes dozens of miles apart.
By locating them all in one centralized place, children will have their cases reviewed more effectively and efficiently, Butler said. Law enforcement, physical exams, mental health and other services will all be located under one roof, she said.
“This way, the child comes in, they can tell their story, and they have law enforcement and stakeholders viewing it via video from another room,” she said. “After the interview, they can get examined right there, and have counseling – we’ll have almost everything that they need in one place.”
With all the advocates working together, in a child-friendly environment, the clients receive greatly improved service. “Kids aren’t falling through the cracks,” Butler said. In communities that have centralized child advocacy centers, prosecution rates rose from an average of 10-20% to 90% or higher, she said.
More than 3,000 allegations of abuse are reported each year on the Treasure Coast, and 30-35 children are removed from their homes each month, Butler said. But reports dropped off significantly in 2020 because many children were learning from home during the pandemic. The lion’s share of reports of child abuse come from teachers and other school staff, she said.
Guardians for New Futures has raised about $500,000 towards building and furnishing the center. Florida House Bill 5001, the General Appropriations Act, currently working its way through the Florida Legislature, also includes a line item for $1.3 million in funding for the center, Butler said. Governor DeSantis has not yet signed the bill into law.
Debbie Butler (holding Gus the Dragon) and members of her sponsorship team began demolition last week.
SPD Community News
PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING CRIME SCENE SUPERVISOR COLLEEN COPPOLA’S 5 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT!!!
Ms. Coppola reached this milestone on May 23rd, 2021. She is recognized for her cheerful disposition, her dedication to forensic science, and for never hesitating to assist other employees or help with community functions outside of her daily responsibilities.
The Sebastian Police Department C.O.P.E. Unit had a great time on May 25th and 26th at Schuman Park and the Barber Street Sports Complex interacting with some of our local youth. They enjoyed the snow cones and popcorn!
Popcorn and Snow Cones for all ages!
Officer Donald Hart Officer Todd Finnegan
Calendar of Events
All meetings will be offered in person at Captain Hiram’s or via ZOOM until the end of June. ZOOM connection information will be sent out weekly.
June
06/02 – No Meeting (Board Only)
ALL HANDS ON DECK!!
06/04 – BWO Captain’s Meeting
Raffle Baskets, Live Auction, Ticket sales, 50/50, t-shirt sales. . . .
5-7 p.m. – Registration (Captains must attend!)
5-7 p.m. – VIP Food Event
7 p.m. – Trip Ticket Drawing
06/05 – Blue Water Open
50/50 Ticket sales until 5 p.m.
2-5 p.m. – Weigh in
6 p.m. – Awards $
06/09 – TBD
06/16 – TBD
06/23 – TBD
06/30 – No Luncheon Meeting
Annual Installation Dinner – 6:00 p.m.
Captain Hiram’s Tiffany Room
Blue Water Open
Eva says We have now exceeded $80,000 in sponsorships! Tee shirts have been ordered and will be available for distribution the week before the tournament. Members are responsible to get the tee-shirts to their sponsors. We still need volunteers for the following:
- 06/03 – Scoreboard installation at Hiram’s (Don & Lori)
- 06/04 – Move baskets & buckets & Cooler of Cheer to Hiram’s
- 06/04 – 5:00-7 p.m. – Registration, T-shirt Sales, Trip, Basket & 50/50 Ticket Sales, VIP Event
- 6: 00 p.m. Captains’ Meeting
- 06/05 – 11:00 a.m. for set-up
- 06/05 – 50/50 Ticket Sales
Diana has the volunteer list – please contact her with questions about Friday and/or Saturday spots.
Paul Williamson announced that this year’s BWO raffle tickets will be for a Rockies to Red Rocks adventure trip including a 3-night 4-day train ride with hotel accommodations through the Rockies and includes air fare for two. The winner can also elect to take $3,500 in cash or travel anywhere else for the $4500 value. As of this writing, we are a little over $6,000 above our cost for the BWO Win A Trip raffle. We have only a few more weeks to net $10,000 or more. Tickets are still available at $25 each or 5 for $100. See Paul to get yours to sell! Tickets can also be purchased at Fishingforcharity.org.
Phil Barnes announced that Junior Blue Water Open meetings will begin after our Blue Water Open event.
We have our first Diamond Level Sponsor from Tax Savings Professionals, Mari & Drew Miles owners, brought in by Ali Qizilbash! Thank you for Ali for just mentioning our cause and thank you Mari & Drew for your most generous sponsorship!
Ali Qizilbash with Mari Miles
This and That
Please contact Jeff Kagan with ideas for future speakers. Suggestions are appreciated!
Lyse McDonough and Debbie Fitzpatrick are also asking for ideas for their Hospitality Committee to consider.
Eva Chapman needs to know of any volunteer work a member has done outside of Exchange Club. This counts toward credit we get from national toward year end awards. Please use her log or send her the name of the organization and number of hours you spent volunteering.
Paul Williamson reports that we are 46-member strong including our newest Member Sean Facey. Please welcome our new members and get them involved on committees as soon as possible. Don’t forget to contact members to let them know meetings can be attended via ZOOM if not in person. Also, bring guests and ask them to join the best club ever!
Terry Gardner is chairing the Community Involvement Committee. Karen McElveen will serve with her. They encourage members to give them ideas.
Ali stated we have received membership application from Sean Facey (Lise McDonough)! This will be reviewed at the May board meeting.
Our board of directors’ election was completed on April 28th. The new board takes office on July 1st. Thanks to all who agreed to serve:
- President Johnathan Rhodeback
- President Elect Frederick Jones
- Secretary Eva Chapman
- Treasurer Diana Best
- Directors – Two Year Term
- Kathy Burns (Foundation Treasurer)
- Terry Gardner
- Michelle Morris
- Kimball Stadler
- Directors – One Year Term
- Phil Barnes
- Lyse McDonough
- Karen McElveen
- Adam Preuss
| This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND |
COVID-19 Attendance Guidelines
These guidelines shall apply to all members and guests that attend our Club meetings in person in the Tiffany Room at Capt. Hiram’s restaurant:
1. There shall be no more than 4 people at each table, with an empty chair between any 2 people. a. Exception: Student guests and their family members may sit in adjacent chairs but shall not have more than 6 people at their table.
2. Members/guests shall try to take their seats as soon as possible upon entering the Tiffany Room and shall try to avoid close proximity interaction with others.
3. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask in the Tiffany Room except when seated at your table or when speaking at the podium.
4. If any member/guest has tested positive for COVID-19, has experienced symptoms of COVID-19, or has been in close contact
with someone who has COVID-19, he/she shall not attend any meetings in person until they become symptom-free or test negative. Additionally, he/she shall notify the Club President of their condition, so that we can determine if any other members/guests may have been exposed.
District Director Rene’s Corner
Rene VandeVoorde announced the winners of the 2021 scholarships to graduates at SRHS. Scholarships were in the amount of $2,000 each given to:
- Caleb Cummins
- Joseph Hodges
- Guadalupe Velesces
- Leyna Vu
Marissa Perez (H.R. “Rappy” Perez Award – no relation)
Student Awards Chair Adam Preuss announced winners of our Youth of the Year and A.C.E. scholarships:
- Sarah Cosner, Female Youth of the Year $1,000
- Joseph Twomey, Male Youth of the Year $1,000
- Peyton Johnson, A.C.E. Award $1,000
Greater Palm Bay Club: Club members have packed and distributed another 25 Blue Bags with children’s items for donation to the Melbourne Police. These bags are for use when police are working with children in stressful situations. Contact Ron Smith for more information at ronlsmith45@gmail.com.
A car show is planned for the future – date to be determined.
Indian River Club: The club has postponed its 5th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament until October of this year. Last year a total of $3000 was raised for the prevention of child abuse and other local youth-oriented activities. Congratulations Indian River Club for your successes!
Fellsmere Club: The 2021 Shrimpfest & Craft Brew Hullabaloo was held Friday, March 19th through Sunday March 21st, 2021. This was a joint effort with the Rotary Club of Sebastian and funds raised support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County. Roughly $55,000 has been distributed to beneficiary organizations:
- Sebastian River Track & Field
- Sebastian River Girls Basketball
- Sebastian River Boys Lacrosse
- Sebastian Sharks Football
- Sebastian River Wrestling
- Sebastian River Rowing
- Sebastian Varsity Cheerleaders
- Sebastian Soccer Association
Fellsmere Club members express gratitude to all that supported the event by volunteering, sponsoring or just attending!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
In 1971, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday becoming a day Americans pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
It is a time-honored tradition that remembers those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in safeguarding our nation, preserving our union, and fighting for freedom.
We truly are “home of the free, because of the brave.”
Margie Duffell